Luke, p.14
Luke, page 14
“Matt says there’s a guy that she’s been talking to. Said the guy seems interested but she doesn’t really. He’s persistent. We checked him before but I’m having Matt dig deeper to see if there’s a connection that we’re missing.”
“Is he rich?” Cade asked. “That’s enough of a connection. Or, more importantly, is his family rich?”
“He’s not poor. Not sure how deep the money goes, though.”
“I can explain to her what happened with me and maybe that will get through to her. We aren’t really worried about Father in this situation, but the people he will send after her that won’t give up.” She shuddered and Ryker was there, pulling her to stand and wrapping his arms around her.
“It’s worth a shot,” Luke agreed.
Paisley thought it made more sense than anything else they’d talked about. A different approach was needed here.
“If she comes out, how will that stop anything, though?” Paisley asked.
“It won’t,” Cade admitted. “It will just show our united front to whoever is trying to interfere with her life. If we get Father cut off from communication, then it should be enough to interrupt the plans because he won’t be able to follow through on whatever he promised.”
“That will be hard to show, though, because if he’s got someone else doing the dirty work, then it will still happen.”
Evan and Kayla arrived and Cade let them in. They took a moment to get them caught up on everything before they went back to ideas. Mr. Smith called to let Luke know that Mary was checked into the facility and that his father’s lawyer was reviewed and would be disbarred.
All in all, it was a productive evening, even if they had more questions than they did answers.
“Hello?” Luke answered his phone. “I actually wanted to have you talk to Catherine if you’re willing. I have a lot of things to talk to you about, but I think she can handle the most important aspects and we can discuss the others when I see you.”
She must have agreed because he handed the phone over and Catherine left the room to have the conversation. Paisley wished she could hear but understood the need for privacy with her story.
When her father had tried to force an acceptable marriage on Catherine, the guy had lost his mind when it didn’t work out. He’d broken into the home that she and Luke now shared and had died by Ryker’s hands.
She thought it would be weird living here all things considered but it wasn’t. Since she didn’t know the guy and wasn’t friends with everyone when it happened, she was oddly removed from that situation.
Luke still had some guilt over it as he had helped that guy in the beginning. Catherine didn’t hold it against him, but mentally it still ate it him sometimes.
It wasn’t even fifteen minutes later when Catherine returned. “Carter is driving her here in the morning. Classes are over so she can stay for a bit of a visit.”
Luke dropped on the sofa and put his arm around Paisley. “Thank God.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Luke
“Ashley!” Catherine greeted her with a hug as soon as she stepped through the door.
Ashley looked uncomfortable, having not grown up with a lot of affection shown just like Luke. It was strange that Catherine was as bubbly and affectionate as she was with their group, knowing what he did of her upbringing, too. Ashley awkwardly hugged Catherine back before getting herself free.
“Is this your son?” She went right to Garrett as she asked Luke.
“This is Garrett, your nephew. And this is Paisley, my fiancée,” he introduced.
“Blink twice if you are being held hostage,” Ashley told Paisley.
Unprepared for that comment, Paisley choked on a laugh. “I think I’m going to like you a lot.”
They all laughed and stepped out of the foyer and into the living room.
“I like this place a lot better than your apartment,” Ashley said. “It’s very homelike instead of bachelor pad. Family man looks good on you.”
“Thank you,” Luke said.
“Okay. I’m here so fill me in.” She plopped down on the sofa and looked up at Luke and Ryker.
“We’re waiting on Cade,” Ryker said.
“You’re the one in charge of that guy?” Ashley asked, pointing at Carter.
Ryker nodded.
“So does he get to go now that I’m here?” she asked.
Ryker shook his head. “Not until we know what’s going to happen.”
She sighed. “Fine.” Her eye roll wasn’t even a little hidden. Luke knew that she only said something because it seemed he wasn’t needed. She definitely wasn’t fine and wasn’t going to just go along with things.
“Just wait for Cade to get here. He’s got a new baby so he didn’t want to come and hang out early.” Luke hoped she would just be patient and actually listen.
“I’m an aunt twice over so quickly after finding out all of this. It’s weird to think about. I guess I get to be the fun aunt,” Ashley joked.
“That job’s taken,” Catherine told her. “But I suppose we can share the title.”
Ashley laughed. “Works for me.”
They caught up on small talk about her degree and classes while they waited for Cade. Carter stood off in a corner, doing his best not to be involved despite the fact that he was over six-feet tall and muscular, impossible to blend in.
“Cade’s here,” Catherine said after checking her phone.
“I’ll let him in.” Luke went to the door.
Cade was standing there before he opened it. “Sorry. I hit traffic.”
“No problem. We were waiting for you before we got started so we can get that going now. Her and Catherine have decided they are the fun aunts, though.”
Cade shook his head. “We’re in trouble.”
Luke chuckled and locked the door.
In the living room, Cade introduced himself again. Luke knew they had met when everyone was looking for him, but it didn’t hurt to do it again.
“So, siblings, huh?” Ashley asked.
“Actually, why don’t we start with the less dramatic stuff,” Cade said.
Catherine agreed and spoke next. “Cade and I talked it over and we already told Luke, but we wanted to ask you as well. Would you both like to change your last names to Hawkins? I know our father is ruining the name, but we wanted to show everyone that we are siblings and that we stand by you.”
“If you don’t want to, no hard feelings, but we wanted you to know how we felt about both of you and that we accept you no matter what,” Cade added.
Luke studied Ashley to get an idea of how she felt. He didn’t need to look hard as tears started to roll down her cheeks.
“Just like that? You don’t even know me,” Ashley said.
“Of course. You’re family no matter what,” Catherine told her.
As Catherine spoke, Luke noted the look that Ashley gave her bodyguard. That was something he’d have to unpack later, as now wasn’t the right time.
“Are you?” Ashley asked Luke.
He looked at Paisley who smiled back at him. “I’d like to, but only if you’re on board too.”
She nodded, wiping her tears away. “I want to.”
“That’s settled then,” Catherine said with a clap.
“Carter, why don’t you join us for the rest?” Ryker addressed the man in the corner. “This is relevant to your job protecting Ashley, as much as she’ll let you.”
He stepped into the fold and they began to go over everything they knew with Ashley and Carter listening in. It didn’t take long, as they didn’t know much, but they needed to plan and that was what this was all about.
“So, we know there’s a threat, but not what it is or who it might come from? So everyone it a threat?” Carter asked, summing it up pretty much perfectly and then pointing a glare at Ashley.
“Don’t start.” She sighed and leaned back in her seat.
“I’m just saying, it’s an actual concern. You need to follow the rules,” Carter pressed.
Luke winced, knowing that was going to set Ashley off.
“Rules?” Ashley shot up from her seat. “You don’t get to impose rules on me. You’re so busy worrying that you smother me until I have to sneak away to have a good time.”
“Clubs are dangerous,” Carter argued back.
“Then go and protect me. I’m not going to stop living my life on the off chance that something might or might not happen.”
“Ashley,” Catherine interrupted. “Do you know what happened to me?”
Ashley gave her an unsure look. “A little. Your dad tried to get some guy to marry you.”
“And then he broke into my house,” Catherine started.
“I ended up in jail for killing him.” Ryker stood to face Ashley. “You’re smart, act like it. Have a seat because there is a real threat against you and we are all here trying to help you. Carter, too.”
Sufficiently scolded, Ashley didn’t say anything as she sat.
“Now that that’s settled,” Cade began again. “I know this is a hassle. We do believe that the guy you keep running into all the time and blowing off may be the link back to my father. We are digging, but the money is our best connection. Matt’s working on connecting the dots there.”
Carter sent Ashley a look, but she didn’t glance in his direction. “Julian,” he practically ground out.
“Yes. We can’t prove a connection yet, but with how you’re describing his behavior and family wealth, it just lines up with what we’d expect. It also seems he might be escalating,” Cade explained.
“Do we have someone watching him now?” Carter asked.
Ryker chimed in again, “We are monitoring him discreetly.”
“Ashley, we all really just want to keep you safe,” Luke pleaded with her to understand. “No one wants to change or smother you. We just want you protected while doing things.”
“First, that is not what he’s doing,” she said, jerking her thumb in Carter’s direction. “Second, I’m not an idiot. I don’t even like that guy and have told him I don’t want to hang out with him. I ignore him whenever I see him.”
“Yeah, but you’re seeing him more places now,” Carter reminded her.
“I make sure not to be alone with anyone, Carter. I’m not an idiot about protecting myself.”
“I never said you were. I’m just pointing out that it’s getting worse. Like it or not, that’s a fucking concern, Ashley.”
“Please don’t act like you really care other than to do your job,” she snapped.
“Okay,” Luke shouted, stopping the back and forth. “If it’s that hard for the two of you to get along, then maybe Ryker should put someone else on your detail. But if he does that, you can’t run from the guy.”
“I didn’t run,” Ashley whispered.
“Ashley,” Catherine said. “Come with me for a moment. I think we could all use a small break before we make any decisions.”
As they left the room, Ryker walked over to Carter, who stood.
“Can you handle this job or not?” Ryker’s tone was casual, but his body language was anything but. He was tense all over and his fists were clenched.
“I told you I can do it and I meant it. Despite her behavior, I’ve been able to keep her safe, and I already assumed that guy was no good before knowing what you do.” Carter stood, too. “I don’t want taken off the case, but I’ll do what you think is best. You better find someone that can handle her because she’s going to run.”
Ryker looked at Luke.
“I agree that you are doing a good job. You won’t get any argument from me on that. However, I want her to be safe, and I worry that if the two of you are so busy arguing with each other that something could happen because you’re not on your game,” Luke told Carter.
“Despite the way she’s been acting and the arguing, I have never not been on my game with her. I have to stay on my toes just to keep near her. It would be better if she would tell me where she wanted to go in advance so I could scope it out, but she won’t. It’s all last minute and that makes it hard. It’s like she’s trying to get in trouble.” Carter stood as he was speaking and walked to look out the window. “I do intend to keep her safe.”
Ryker nodded. “I think we can come up with a way to make this work.” His phone rang and he pulled it out, checking the ID before answering. “What?”
Luke turned away from the phone call and focused on Carter. “I have faith in you to get your job done, but why stay with this one when you know how she is?”
Cade snorted.
“What?” Luke demanded.
“Those two are interested in each other and that seems to piss them off.” He choked on a laugh.
Luke ran everything over in his mind with how they were acting since they’d been there. Cade was right, and Luke didn’t know if he was pissed off or entertained.
“That’s not what this is about,” Carter said, his only defense.
“We have a problem,” Ryker interrupted. “Julian has gone to all of the places that Ashley normally would be and now he’s in the wind. My guy says he was getting more and more agitated as he looked for her.”
“Well, shit,” Cade muttered.
“Guess we have our guy,” Carter said what they were all thinking.
“The question is, what are we going to do with this information,” Luke wondered out loud. “All of it.” With a look letting Carter know the conversation between them was far from over, Luke turned his attention back to Ryker. “How long has he been gone?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Paisley
“Did you tell anyone where you were going?” Cade demanded from Ashley the moment they returned to the room.
“What?” She shook her head, shocked at the heat in his demand. “I didn’t even tell anyone I was leaving, much less where I was going.”
“They can’t find Julian. He went to all your usual places and got agitated that he couldn’t find you and then left,” Carter told her.
“Now what?” Ashley asked.
“You’ll stay here, of course,” Paisley said. “Both of you.”
Luke appreciated she wanted Ashley to stay, but he didn’t really want her to because it would put Garrett and her at risk. But he couldn’t send his sister away either. What a mess.
“No. I think it’s best if we go somewhere else.” This was from Carter. “Maybe somewhere she’s never been that isn’t connected to any of you.”
“Agreed. What do you have in mind?” Ryker asked.
“You know, you’re awfully hands-on for someone that only wanted to back this company. Taking lessons on how to be a silent partner from Evan?” Catherine teased.
“Hush,” Ryker told her, but there was no force in the words.
“I’ve got a friend that has a hunting cabin up in Maine. I can contact him and see if he’s up for letting us use it.” Carter was already pulling out his phone.
“Is this really that necessary? I want to see the babies and play aunt for a bit. Besides, what if it’s not him and we just have to do this again later for the right one? Or what if nothing happens?” Ashley countered. “Carter can stay with me, and I’ll stop getting away from him for a little while, but if nothing happens in the next month, I want to revisit the need for this.”
“Did you not hear that he was agitated? What if this guy comes after you here? With Garrett around?” Carter asked. He wasn’t as frustrated as he had been earlier when talking to her.
“Oh,” Ashley said quietly. “I don’t want to put them in danger, but I still think this is too much.”
“How about this?” Paisley understood Ashley’s hesitations and thought she’d offer a compromise. “How about you go with Carter for two weeks? If nothing is discovered about a threat to you in that time, you come on back home. But, you have to let Carter in and stop running. If something is found, then we can all discuss it again depending on what it is.”
Luke stepped beside her, pressing a kiss on her head. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Ashley looked stressed but she nodded. Carter agreed as well.
“See? That wasn’t so bad.” Paisley pasted a smile on. She knew that this truce was unstable between Ashley and everyone wanting to keep her safe.
“Go make the calls,” Ryker told Carter.
“I’m going to take Ashley up with Garrett and Catherine and just hang out for a bit. I hate that her visit is getting cut short by all this,” Paisley quietly told Luke.
“Thank you. That’s probably for the best right now.” Luke pulled her to him in a quick hug before she walked away.
It was a miserable thought that Ashley couldn’t stay here, but Paisley understood it from everyone’s sides. It was hard to think about any of them being in danger because it distracted her from the fact that it wasn’t over for her, Garrett, and Luke.
There was still a chance that child services could show up again and try to take Garrett away. She knew that they’d get him back, but she’d never forgive herself if something like that happened.
“Do you want to go upstairs for a bit with Garrett and me? I need to get away from all this testosterone,” Paisley asked Ashley.
“I would love to,” she agreed quickly. “I only grew up with one brother, but it seems like today, I inherited a lot more.”
Catherine laughed. “I think I’ll join you. I’ve had all these brothers for quite a while. You’ll learn to manage them.”
“Teach me your ways.” Ashley laughed with her.
They left the men where they were, plotting and planning for Ashley’s safety, and went to Garrett’s room. Ashley spent a few minutes cooing over him as he laughed back at her.
“I think she has the hots for her bodyguard,” Catherine whispered out of earshot of Ashley.
“Oh, absolutely.” That was undeniable for everyone but the two involved.
“Maybe this hunting cabin will only have one bed,” Catherine teased.
Paisley giggled. “How many books have you read lately? This definitely sounds like one of them.”
